Akwa Ibom State Government has expressed
its readiness to partner the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) in the
establishment of a National Labour College, an institution that will train and
retrain workers within and outside the country.
Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom
State, who made this known when he declared open the 13th NLC Rain
School 2015, themed “The Labour Movement and the Politics of Change in
Nigeria,” at the Workers’ Solidarity Centre, Atan Offot, Uyo, on Monday,
said the labour union was a dependable ally towards fulfilling the his
administration’s promises and programmes of industrialization and wealth
creation.
“The labour union in the state has
been a dependable ally in fulfilling the promises and programmes of
industrialization and wealth creation. That is why we pay salaries to workers
when it is due. Let me, therefore, pay tribute to the State Chairman of NLC,
Comrade Etim Ukpong, for proving an exemplary leadership that is worthy of
emulation and build on the foundation which his predecessors had developed in
the state. The organized labour and the state government have, for years,
enjoyed the most cordial relationship in working together to provide the
dividends of democracy to our people and watching each other’s back.”
Governor Emmanuel said the
spirit-of-togetherness enjoyed by both labour and the state government was
unparallel, noting that he had also ordered for prompt payment of gratuities
owed workers from 2000 – 2011 and backlogs cleared.
He acknowledged the contribution of
the NLC Rain School to nation development, according to him “The NLC Rain
School is the flagship of Nigerian Labour Congress’ educational service and a
crucible were labour leaders are trained, refined and equipped with the
requisite skills for effective leadership. This process has contributed
immensely and immeasurably to the development and advancement of leadership in
our country.”
“The theme of the NLC Rain School
2015 is timely, particularly when considering the role of the labour congress
in the advancement of democracy in our country. And sustaining of democracy in
our country demands the concerting efforts of the stakeholders in the Nigerian
project including the labour congress and workers; it requires the spirit of
solidarity, a deep sense of reflection which the organized labour is known for.
At every crossroads of our journey as a country, including this time, the
labour union has remained a force in shaping, directing and charting the way
forward. In our efforts in entrenching and deepening democracy, the Nigerian
Labour Congress has played a significant role. However, it is the demand of
history that whatever a man fights to gain, he must maintain.”
He charged the NLC, as a key role
player in the advancement of democratic ideals in the nation’s polity, to
always “ensure that politics is not seen as bloodspot, that the noble ideals of
democracy is celebrated and projected, that divisive tendencies, mutual fears
and distrusts are thrown away, that it internalized and instilled in the minds
of our compatriots a new political thinking.”
In declaring open the programme,
Governor Udom added that “the NLC Rain School gives us hope that our country is
on the path of progress and advancement. It is my assurance that, as a
government, we will support the setting up of the National Labour College as
offered to us because we believe in excellence.”
In his remarks, the NLC National
President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, expressed appreciation to the state government
for constructing and donating a masterpiece edifice to the NLC for the Rain
School, one he said will in a short while become a permanently structure for
the proposed National Labour College.
Comrade Wabba lauded the state
government for its readiness to partner the organized labour in the area of
education, adding that the leadership of the NLC was committed to educating and
training its members for the betterment of all.
He appreciated the State Council for
the role it played during the last Delegate Conference, for the mandate given
him and urged that the spirit of unity be enshrined in them, knowing that they
represent the greater majority of Nigerians who are at the receiving end.
Responding, the State NLC Chairman,
Comrade Etim Effiong, said the union was grateful with government for its
decision to take the school to another level and appealed that the training and
retraining of workers be made a priority by government.
Comrade Effiong solicited government
intervention in the issue surrounding the recent retrenchment of workers by
ExxonMobil.
PHOTOGRAPHS
Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State,
Mr. Moses Ekpo (r), in a discussion with the National President of Nigerian
Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba (l), shortly after a call on him at
Government House, Uyo, on Monday.
Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State,
Mr. Moses Ekpo (m), flanked from left by the National President of Nigerian
Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba, and the State Chairman of NLC,
Comrade Etim Effiong, during the 2015 Rain School themed: The Labour
Movement and the Politics of Change in Nigeria, at the Workers’
Solidarity Centre, Atan Offot, Uyo, on Monday.
Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State,
Mr. Moses Ekpo, posing with State Executive members and the Nigerian Labour
Congress (NLC) delegation during the 2015 Rain School themed: The Labour
Movement and the Politics of Change in Nigeria, at the Workers’
Solidarity Centre, Atan Offot, Uyo, on Monday
CONTRIBUTOR: Darlington Udobong
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